When you visit an Uzbek family, don’t be surprised to see them pour very little tea into your bowl. Tea is poured into the bowl little by little, literally for 1-2 sips. This is a sign of special respect for the guest. The more often the host pours tea into the guest’s cup, the more precious the guest is to him.
Tea plays an essential role in Kazakh culture, as no celebration or family feast is held without drinking tea. Sharing tea is a ritual of unity. When someone visits a Kazakh family, tea is served first. The custom, called syi-ayak, begins with the washing of hands. The tea is ladled into a ceramic drinking bowl called a Piyala (Piala). The head of the family (husband) is the first to be served; the guests thereafter. Tradition holds that after dinner, everyone remains seated until the last person has finished drinking their tea, then everyone leaves together.